Projectile.



J. B. CLOSE.

PROJECTILE.

APmcAnoN man Nov. 3. |911.

www

Patented Apr. 29, 1919.

the casing.

JAMES Bnooxs c LosE, or SITTINGBOUENEENGLAND.

PEOJECTILEQ Specification of Letters Patent.

Applicationl led November 8, 1917. Serial No. `200,165.

T o all whom z't may concer/n:

Be it known that I, JAMES BROOKS CLOSE,

a sub-ject of the King of England, residing a-t Sittingbourne, Kent, in England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Projectiles, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to projectiles more particularly bombs or grenades and ofthe typesadapted to be fired from rifles or other ordnance and has for \its object to effect 'certa-in improvements in the fuse, in the body of the projectile and in the tail rod or like device with which these projectiles are sometimes provided.

ItV has been found that in existing constructions of riie grenade or projectiles of that type there is a tendencyfor them to misfire or fail to go Oif `if vthey strike the ground at an acute angle and moreover in soft ground such projectiles have a tendency for the ex-plosion to occur only after the projectile has entered the ground to an extent which causes the-violence of the explosion to be largely nullified. Further in the case of a rie grenade the existing arrangements for limiting the extent to which the tail rod can be inserted into the barrel of the riie in order to modify the range are unsatisfactory and are not easy to manipulate. Some modification in the construction of the body is also desirable with the view to effect better fragmentation.v The present improvements obviate these several disadvantages and enable a simple, cheap and effective projectile to be produced.

According to this invention .the detonator which is preferably contained in a blank service cart-ridge case is disposed in the casing or body of the projectile with the cap of the cartridge .directed forwardly and adjacent to this cap is arranged a sleeve or tube which is fixed in some convenient manner to A striker member is so mounted in the fixed sleeve thatit can slide therein toward the cap and 'a member is provided which projects forwardlyfrom the projectile this member 'being so constructed and arranged that on impact even with soft ground it will impart'l sliding, movement to the striker and cause it to detonate the cap. A plurality of locking members are carried loosely ,in radial openings formed through the fixed sleeve each locking member being of such shape and dimensions vthat as long as it is prevented from projecting outwardly i tial position the loose sleeve closes the oliter ends of the openings in the fixed sleeve in which lie the locking members and the loose sleeve thus maintains the locking members in 'engagement with the striker member until The' this sleeve `-is set back on discharge. locking members are then free to move out- Patented Apr. 29, 1919.--

wardly through and out of the openings in.

which they lie and the `striker member is thus released and on impact will be impelled by the forwardly projecting member against the cap and the charge will be' thereby detonated. Afshearing wire Vpasses through the fixed sleeve and the striker member and sleeve in the rearward direction so as-to release the locking members4 and free the striker until the projectile is discharged.

- Conveniently the same shearingI wire is ernployed for this purpose as is used to hold the striker member in position in the fixed sleeve after. the locking members have been allowed to move clear of the striker. O'ne and the same shearing wire is then. passed through the loose sleeve, the fixed sleeve and the. striker member and theend portions of this wire will then be sheared when the lloosesleeve sets back on discharge while the intermediate part will be sheared as the striker is moved rearwardly on impact.`

Where .the projectile is intended to be used as a grenade which is to be red froma rifle a tail rod of the usual type is attached to the rear end of the casing. This tail rod is adapted to lit the barrel of the rilie and .has a seriesof annular grooves or notches formed in it at convenient distances apart along its length. A wire of suitable dimen- 4.

'sions is coiled once around the rod with the ends of the wire crossing eachother land projecting so that the'wire forms a spring member which when the ends are pressed together can be disengaged from one notch and moved along the rod 'and engaged with out the drawings.

. another notch. The wire constitutes such a projection on the rod as will prevent the latter from entering the barrel' of the rifle beyond the point where the spring wire is positioned. By this means the range of the grenade when thrown from the rifle can be varied. Other forms of spring device can be employed and operated in a similar manner for this purpose in conjunction with the notches in thc tail rod.

In order that the body of the projectile may break up into suitable fragments when the charge within it is exploded the segmentation of the casin is carried out on the inside instead of on t e outside as is more rusual in projectiles of the'grenade or bomb type. Thus the exterior of the casing is formed smooth while the inner surface of the wall of the chamber which contains the explosive charge is divided up by suitable indentations or grooveswhich cross each other and are sov disposed that when the charge is exploded the body of the projectile will ,readily break up into pieces of a desirable size. l

The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of example two constructions of nrojectile according to this invention. .In these drawings,

Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved projectile in one form in which it may be constructed for use as a grerfade adapted to be fired from a rie.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the projectile shown in Fig."1, the fuse being illustrated with the parts in the positions occupied by themwhen the'fuse is in a state of safety.

Fig. 3 is a. similar View showing the positions of the parts of the fuse immediately after the projectile has been discharged and while it is in flight.

Fig. 4 is again a similar view illustrative of the positions assumed by the parts of the fuse when the charge is about to be detonated on impact of the projectile.

Fig. 5 is a plan of the spring device which is mounted on the tail rod of the projectile for the purpose of varying the range when used as a rifle grenade.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional elevationl showin a modification in the construction of the se. .Y f

Like letters indicate like parts through- When constructed as shown inthe drawings the projectile comprises a cylindrical body. or casing Athe rear end of which is tapered. This body contains the explosive charge and while the lexterior is smooth the interior is provided with grooves A formed inthe thickness of the metal Awhich cross each other as shown. The wall of the body is thus reduced in thickness in such places that when the charge explodes the body will tend to break into pieces along the lines of the grooves A and in a more effective manner than if similar grooves are formed in the exterior of the wall of the body.

In the forward end of the casing A is formed a central hole of such diameter as to permit of the explosive charge being into the casingthroughthis hole.. T e hole is also of such diameter as to allow yan ordi- ,flange A2 Vformed at the inner end of the hole through the end of the casing A sothat the filled cap B2 ofV the cartridge faces the forwardl end of the projectile. Conveniently the cartridge is inclosed in a sheet metal tube or gaine C the inner end of whichl is closed While the outer end is flanged outwardly to rest on the flange A2 beneath the rim B of the cartridge. The hole in the forward end of the projectile is screw-threaded to re ceive the correspondingly screw-threaded end of a sleeve or tubel D. The interior of this sleeve is cylindrical throughout while the exterior is cylindrical throughout the greater .part of its length but toward the rear end the sleeve is 'slightly enlarged by a conical portion D. When the sleeve D is screwed into the end of the casing A the rim B of the cartridge andthe flange of the gaine are firmly held betweenthe end of the sleeve D and the flange A2. Toward the forward end of the sleeve there are formed through its wall a series of circular radially arranged passages D2 each of which is adapted to contain a ball or other locking -member E. Eachof these balls is ofA such dimensions that its diameter is greater than the thickness of the wall of the sleeve D and i preferably somewhat less than twice the thickness. of this wall. Conse uently each ball while it lies in its-passage i132 must project to some extent either into theinterior of the sleeve D or on its exterior.

Within the sleeve Dlies a striker member which comprises a portion F which is cylindrical and a free sliding fit within the tube D, and a rearwardly directed in or'rod F on the end of which is mount a needle or nipple F2. The nipple F2 lies opposite to theI cap B2 and'is adapted to detonate this cap when the striker member is forced in.-

wa'rd. In the body portion F of the strikersleeve D. Thus until theballs E are disengaged from the groove Fa the striker cannot be moved rearwardly 'so as to detonate the cap-B2 and explode the charge which is disposed in the body or casing A around the gaine C. Fromy theforward end of the body portion F of the striker member projects .a rod G which carries on its end a mushroom-shaped disk G the diameter of which is preferably approximately equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrical part of the casing A of the projectile. The rod G may be formed separate lfrom the striker member but preferably as its. forward position it will cover the openings D2 in the fixed sleeve D and maintain the locking balls E in engagement with the f groove F3 in the striker member F. When,

however, the loose sleeve H sets back on discharge of the projectile and assumes the position shown in Fig. 3 the holes D2 will be uncovered so that the locking balls E are free to escape outwardly through the openings D2. The striker member is thus released and when the mushroom head G strikes the ground or any object the striker will be impelled against the Icap B2 and the charge will be detonated. When the sleeve H sets back on discharge 'of the projectile the rearward end of this sleeve will be forced against .the conical portion D of the fixed sleeve D and the loose sleeve will consequently jamin this position andbe held .so that. it will not tend to rebound or set forward again and once more cover the holes l40 D2 and prevent the free exit of the balls E. It is necessary to provide some means for i holding thel striker member F when it has been released by the outward movement of v head G" while the projectile is in flight. It

the balls E otherwise premature detonat-ion would be liable to occur for instance as a result of the air pressure on the mushroom is also necessary to provide some means for 'preventing accidental rearward' displacef ment of the" loose sleeve H prior to the dis- .charge of the projectile and after the usual preferably at its forward portion, andthrough'the walls of the fixed4 sleeve D at the opposite sides of the striker member. venently this same shearing wire J is also vemployed to hold the loose sleeve H until the projectile is discharged the wire being extended and its ends carried through the.

loose sleeve H in the manner shown in Fig.-

2. w'Thus oneV and thevsame shearing wire J serves'v the double purpose of holding the y rifie barrel.

rod at the bottom of a groove M.

Con- 1 rloose sleeve H and also holding the striker member F. W-hen the projectile is discharged the end portions J of the wire J are sheared between the loose sleeve H and the fixed sleeve D as the loose sleeve sets back in the manner shown inl Fig. 3. On impact when th'e mushroom head G strikes an object the intermediate portion of the wire J is sheared between thel striker member F and the fixed sleeve Din the manner shown in I`:Figl 4 and the'striker nipple F2 is forced against the cap B2.

The fuse device is conveniently inclosed in an outer sheet metal casing K which is conveniently formed as a cylindrical tube one end of which is spun over or fianged inwardly as at K this flange being adapted to be gripped between the rearward end of the conical portion D of the fixed sleeve D and the flat face of the projectile body A around the opening into which the fixed sleeve D is screwed. A ,safety4 pin L of the usual type is passed through the casing K and throughcorresponding coincident holes formed in the loose sleeve H, in the fixed Sleeve D, and in the body portion F of the striker member, the hole in the latter being shown at F4 in Figs. 3 and 4. The parts of the fuse are thus rigidlyheld by the safety pin 'L until the projectile is to be discharged.

lVhen the improved projectile is to be used as a rifle grenade there is mounted on its rearward end a tail rod M. This may conveniently be screwed intojthe rear end of the body A and fixed by a nutN. The rod M is adapted to enter the barrel of the rifle and it is customary to vary vthe range in a rough and ready manner by varying the extent1 to which the rod M is inserted in the I'n order that this may be done in a simple and convenient manner and with some approximation to accuracy there are formed in the rod M a. series of annular grooves or recesses pM which are suitably spaced apart along the length of the rod. A wire O. the diameter of which is such as to adapt it to fit into each ofthe grooves M is bent into a circle with the ends O of the wire crossed over each other in the manner shown in Fig. 5. The spring or loop ring thusformed by the main portion of the wire O has an internal diameter slightly less than the main portion of the rod-M and approximately equal to the diameter of this Thus the spring ring device O can engage any one of the grooves M and this device will then grip the rod M in such amanner that it cannot be readily displaced on the rod unless it is properly manipulated. The spring device constitutes such a projection on the rod M as will prevent the latter' from entering the rifle barrel beyond the point whereuthe spring device is set and comes against the muzzle of the rifle. By pressing together with the fingers the ends O of the spring ring O this ring can be enlarged sufficiently to release it from engagement' with one groove M and allow the device to be 'mo-ved along the rod and into engagement with another groove M. The grooves M are preferably spaced apart along the rod M in positions which may be determined by experithe same time the device O forms an efficient stop for the purpose.

When the projectile is to be discharged the spring stop O is adjusted on the rod M so as to engage that groove-M4 which corresponds to the desired range.

The safety pin L is then pulled out. The rod M is then inserted in the barrel of the rifie in the breech of which is a blank service cartridge. On discharge the loose sleeve H sets back into the position shown in Fig. 3 the endportions J lof the wire J being sheared. The loose sleeve H then jams on the conical rear end D of the fixed sleeve D and is there held.

While the projectile is in flight the balls E are thrown outwardly so as to `release the striker member F. When the projectile strikes its objective the impact of the mushroom head G' even on lsoft ground will shear lthe intermediate portion of the wire J and force the striker into the position shown in Fig. 4 when the cap B2 will be detonated and the main charge exploded. v

The mushroom head G may be shaped otherwise than as more particularly lde scribed and illustrated in the drawings the shape being varied as found desirable so as to offer as little resistance as possible while the projectile is in Hight while being adapted l to act in the desired manner on the striker when impact occurs.

' It is to be noted that in the construction illustrated the arrangement issuch that the parts of the projectile and fuse are simple to make and assemble. Conveniently the main explosive charge is filled into the body A l through the opening in the forward end and the gaine C is then inserted, but the detonat- -ing cartridge B need not be' placed in position until the projectile is about to be required for use so that risk of accidental discharge is avoided. The fixed sleeve D and the parts carried thereby may also be maintained separate fromthe body A until the` projectile is likely to be employed. The assembling ofthe parts so as to be lready* for use can be readily performed as it is merely necessary to slip into the= gaine C the cartridge B lcontaining the detonator. The

fixed sleeve D is then screwed into place and the rojectile is ready for use. j

T ough a small arm cartridge case such as B is preferably intended to be employed as a container for the detonator some other arrangement of detonator may be used if' de- 'sired with a cap so mounted that it will lie in the position occupied by the cap B2 in the construction shown in the'drawings.

In. Fig. 5 is shown an alternative device which may be employed for the purpose of holding the loose sleeve H in'place of extending the ends of the shearing wire J throu h that sleeve. In this case one or more at springs P are disposed in shallow longitudinal recesses formed in the exterior of the fixed sleeve D. The forward end of each spring liesv beneath a collar Q which is mounted at the forward end of the fixed sleeve D and conveniently fixed thereon by screws Q each of which passes through the A end of aspring P. The rearward end P of each spring P is turned slightly outward sov as to bear against the interior of and the end portion of the loose sleeve H and offer resistance to rearward movementof this sleeve. v

On discharge the loose sleeve I-I 4will' setback over the ends P of the springs P which *willnoted that it may beconstructed for use as a` projectile to be fired from a trench mortar or other gun or it may be otherwise employed for offensive purposes. 2

If desired the casing or body A of the projectile ma have an'opening formed in lits rear end t is opening being closed b a suitable plug screwed into place. The lling of the explosive charge into the casing may then be effected through this opening after the gaine C has been put in position. Where the projectile is intended tov be used as a rifle enade4 with a tail rod such as M the end o the latter can be screwed into the.

plug-'which closes the rear opening.

What I claim asm invention and desire to secu-re by Letters atent is 1. In a projectile the combination of .a casing containing an explosive charge, adetonator for this charge carried by the-casing, a'sleeve lfixed tothe casing, a' striker member mounted in the fixed sleeve sothat it can slide therein toward the detonator, a mem` ber which -projects forwardly from the projectile andis adapted on impact to act on and impart sliding movement to the striker member, a plurality of locking members carried loosely in radial passages formed through the fixed sleeve each locking member being of such shape and dimensions that while the outer end of the radial passage in which it lies is closed the locking member will project within the sleeve and engage the striker member, a loose sleeve mounted on the fixed sleeve so thatit can slide rearwardly thereon by reason of its inertia when the projectile is discharged this loose sleeve when in its initial position serving to close the outer ends of the radial passages in the fixed sleeve and maintain the locking members in engagement with the striker member,

a shearing wire which passes through the fixed sleeve and the striker member, and

` means for preventing such rearward movement of the loose sleeve as will release thelocking members until the/projectile is discharged as set forth.

2: In a projectile the combination of a casing containing an explosive charge, a detonator for this charge carried by the casing,

a sleeve fixed to the casing, a striker member mounted in the fixed sleeve so that it can slide therein toward the detonator, a member which projects forwardly from lthe projectile and is adapted on impact to act on and impart sliding movement to the striker member, a plurality of locking `members carried loosely in 'radial passages formed through the fixed sleeve each locking member 'being of such shape and dimensions that when .in position in the passage its measurement in the radial direction with relation to the axis of the fixed sleeve exceeds the thickness of the wall of the fixed sleeve so that while the outer end of the radial passage in which it lies is closed the locking member will project within the sleeve and engage the striker member, a loose sleeve mounted on `the fixed sleeve sov that it can slide rearber, a shearing -wire which passes throughk the fixed'sleeve and the striker member, and means for preventing. such rearward movement of the loose sleeve as will release the locking members until the projectile -is discharged as set forth.

3. In a projectile the combination of a casing containing lan explosive charge, a detonator for this chargecarried by the casing, a sleeve fixed to the casing, a striker member mounted -on the fixed sleeve so .that it can i 4slide therein toward the detonator, a member which projects forwardly from the projectile is adapted on impact to act on and'impart sliding movement to the striker member, a plurality of balls constituting locking mem'bers carried separately and loosely in radial passages formed through the fixed sleeve the diameter' of each ball exceeding the thickness of the wall of the fixed sleeve so that while the outer end of rthe radial passage in which it lies is closed a striker member, and mea-.ns for preventing such rearward movement of the loose sleeve as will release the balls until the projectile is discharged as set forth.

4. In a projectile the combination of a. casing. containing an explosive charge, a detonator for this charge carried by the casing, a sleeve fixed to the casing, a striker member mounted in the fixed sleeve so that it can slide therein toward the detonator, a. member which projects forwardly from. the projectile and is adapted onimpact to act on and impart sliding movement tothe striker member, a plurality of locking members carried loosely in radial passages formed through the fixed sleeve each locking member being of such shape and dimensions that Awhile the outer end ofthe radial passage in which it lies is closed the locking member will project within the sleeve and engage the striker member, a loose' sleeve mounted on the fixed sleeve so that it can slide rearwardly thereon by reason of its inertia when the projectile is discharged this loose sleeve when in its initial position serving to close the outer ends of the radial passages in the fixed sleeve and maintain the locking members in engagement with the striker member, means -b-y which the loose sleeve is prevented from setting forward again after discharge of the projectile, a. shearing wire which passes through the fixed sleeve and the striker member, and means for preventing such rearward movement of the loose sleeve as will release the locking members until the projectile is discharged .as set forth.

5. In' a projectile the combination of a casing containing an explosive charge, a

detonator for this charge carried by the easing, a sleeve fixed to the casing the exterior of which is formed cylindrical as to its forward portion but provided with la conical portion at its rear end, a striker member mounted in the fixed sleeve so that it can slide therein toward the detonator, a member which Vprojects forwardly from the ing member being of such shape and dil l mensions that while the outer end of the radial passage in which it lies is closed the locking member will project within thesleeve and engage the striker member, a loose sleeve mounted on the lfixed sleeve so that it can slide rearwardly thereon by .reason of its inertia when the projectile is discharged this loose sleeve when in its initial position serving to close the outer ends of the radial passages in the fixed sleeve and maintain the locking members in engagement with the striker member but when the loose sleeve'has set back and 11ncovered the ends of the radial passages and released the locking members the end ofthe sleeve will engage and be held by the coni- Vcal portion ofthe fixed sleeve, a shearing wirewh'ich passes through the fixed sleeve and the striker member, and means for pre-- venting such rearward movement of the loose sleeve as will release the locking members until the projectile is discharged as set forth.

6. In a projectile the combination of -a casing -containing an explosive charge, a detonator for this charge carried by the cas# ing, a sleeve fixed to the casing, a striker member mounted in the fixed sleeve so that it can slide therein toward the detonator, a member which projects forwardly vfrom the projectile and is adapted on impact to act on and impart sliding movement to the striker member, a plurality of locking members carried loosely in' radial passages formed through the fixed sleeve each llocking member being of such shape and dimensions that while the outer end of the radial passage in whichit lies is closed the locking member will project within the sleeve and engage the striker member, a loose sleeve mounted on the fixed sleeve so that it can slide rearwardly thereon by reason of its inertia when the projectile is discharged this loose sleeve when in its initial position serving to close the outer ends of the radlal passages in the fixed sleeve and maintaln the locking members in engagement with the striker member, and a .shearing wire which passes through, the loose sleeve, through the fixed sleeve and through the striker-member as set forth.

7. In a projectile the combination of a' casing containing :an exploslve charge, a

detonator for this charge carried bythe casing, a sleeve fixed ,to the casing, a ,striker member mounted in the fixed sleeve so that it can slide therein toward the detonator, a member whichprojects forwardly from the projectile and is adapted on impact to act on and impart sliding movement' to the striker member, a plurality of locking members carried loosely in radial passagesl formed through the fixed sleeve each locking member being of such shape and dimensions that while the outer end ofthe radial passage in which it lies is closed the lockingy member will project within they through the fixed sleeve and through the striker member and adapted to be sheared as to its end portions when the loose sleeve sets back on discharge and to be sheared asto its intermediate portion when the `for-4 wardly projecting member makes impact with an object and moves the striker member on to the detonator as set forth.

.8. In a projectile the combination of a casing containing an explosive charge, a detonator for this charge carried bythe cas ing, a sleeve fixed to the casing, a striker member mounted in the fixed sleeve so that it can slide therein towardthe detonator, a

member formed integral with the striker I member which rojects forwardly from the nose of the projectile so that on impactthe striker member will be' caused to move toward the detonator, a plurality of locking members carried loosely in radial passages formed through the fixed sleeve each locking member being of such'shape and dimensions that while the outer end of the radial passage in which it lies is closed the locking member will project within the sleeve and engage the striker member, a loose sleevemounted on the fixed sleeve sothat it can ,slide rearwardly thereon by reason of its inertia when the projectile is -discharged this loose sleeve when in its initial 'position serving to close the outer -ends of the radial passages in the fixed sleeve and maintain the locking members in engagement with the striker member, a shearing -wire which passes through the fixed sleeve tor constituted by a blank small-arm cartridge carried by the easing with the cap end of the cartridge directed forwardly and the opposite end adjacent to the explosive charge, a sleeve fixed to' the casing, a striker member mounted in the fixed sleeve so thatit can slide therein toward the cap of the cartridge', a member which'projects forwardly from the projectile and is adapted on impact to act on and impart sliding movement to the striker member, a plurality of locking members carried loosely in radial passages formed through the fixedgsleeve each locking member being of such shape and dimensions that while the outer end of the radial passage in which it lies is closed the locking member will project within the sleeve and engage the striker member, a loose sleeve mounted on the fixed sleeve so that it can slide rearwardly thereon by reason of its inertia when the projectile is discharged this loose sleeve when in its initial position serving toclose the, outer ends of the radial passages inthe fixed sleeve and maintain the locking members in engagement with the striker member, a shearing wire which passes through the xed sleeve and the striker member, and means for preventing such rearward movementvof the loose sleeve as will release the locking members until the l projectile is discharged as set forth.

i 10. In a projectile the combination of a casing containing an explosive charge, a detonator for this charge carried by the casing, a sleeve fixed to the casing, a striker member mounted on the fixed sleeve so that 'that it can slide rearwardly thereon by rea-l it can slide therein toward the detonator, a

member which projects forwardly fromjthe` son of its inertia when the projectile is ldischarged this loose sleeve when in its initial position serving to close the outer ends of the radial passages in the fixed sleeve and maintain the balls in engagement with the striker member, means by which the loose sleeve is preventedy from setting forward again after dischargen of the projectile, a shearing wire which passes through the fixed sleeve and the striker member, and means for preventing such rearward movement of the loose' sleeve as will release the locking members until the projectile is discharged as set forth.

11. In a projectile the combination of a easing containing an explosive charge, a detonator for this charge carried'by the casing, a sleeve fixed to the casing, a striker member mounted on the fixedsleeve so that it can slide thereinftoward the detonator, a 'member which projects forwardly from the projectile and is adapted on impact to act on and imparty sliding movement to the striker member, a plurality of balls constituting locking members carried separately and loosely in radial passages formed through the fixed sleeve the diameter of each ball exceeding the thickness of the wall ofthe fixed sleeve so that while the outer end of the radial passage'in which it lies is closed a portion. of the ball will project within the sleeve and engage the striker member, a loose sleeve mounted on the fixed sleeve so that it can slide rearwardly thereon by reason of its inertia when the projectile is discharged this loose sleeve when in its initial position serving to close the outer ends of the radial passages in the fixed sleeve and maintain the balls in engagement with the striker mem-I ber, and a wire passing through the loosel sleeve through the fixed sleeve and through the striker member and adapted to be sheared as to its end portions when the loose sleeve sets back on discharge and to be'sheared as to its intermediate portion when the forwardly projecting member makes impact with an object and moves the striker member on to the detonator as set member mounted in the fixed sleeve so that it can slide therein toward the cap of the cartridge, a member which projects forwardly from the projectile and isadapted on impact to act on and'impart sliding'movement to the striker member, a plurality of balls constituting locking members carried separately and loosely .in radial' passages formed through the fixed sleeve the diameter of each ball exceeding the" thickness ofthe wall of the fixed sleeve so that while the Vouter end of the radial passage in which it lies is closed a portion of the ball will project within the sleeve and engage the striker member, a loose sleeve mounted on the fixed sleeve so that'it can slide rearwardly thereon by reason of its inertia when the proj ectile is discharged this loose sleeve when in its' initial position serving to close the outerl ends of the radial passages 'in' the fixed sleeve and maintainthe balls in engagement with the striker member but when the loose sleeve hasset back and uncovered` the ends of the radial passages and released the balls the end of thesleeve will engage and be held by therconicahportion'- of the xed sleeve, a

shearing wire lwhich passes through the fixed sleeve and the striker member, and means for ,preventing such rearward movement of the loose sleeve as will release the balls until the projectile is discharged as set forth.

13. In a projectile the combination of a casing containingan explosive charge, a detv onator constituted by a blank small-arm cartridge ycarried bythe casing with the cap end of the cartridge directed forwardly and the opposite end adjacent to the'explosive charge, al sleeve fixed to the casing the exterior of which is formed cylindrical as to its forward portion but provided with a conical portion at its rear end, a striker member mounted in the fixed sleeve so that it can slide'therein toward the cap of the cartridge, a member which; projects forwardly from the projectile andv is adapted on impact to act on and vimpart slidingmovement to the striker member, a plurality of balls constituting locking members carried separately and loosely in radial passages formed through the fixed sleeve the diameter of each ball exceeding the thickness of the Wall of the fixed sleeve so that while the outer end of the radial passage in which it lies is closed a portion of the v ball will project within the sleeve and engage thel striker member, a loose sleeve mounted on the fixed sleeve so that it can slide rearwardly thereon by reason of its inertia when the projectile is discharged this loose sleeve when in its initial position serving to close the outer ends vof the radial passages in the fixed sleeve and maintain the balls in engagement with the striker mem- 'ber but when the loose sleeve has set back and uncovered the ends of the radial passages and released the balls the end of the sleeve will engage and be held by the conical portion of the fixed sleeve and a wire passl ing through the loose sleeve through the Y ,ate

fixed sleeve and throughthe striker member and adapted to be sheared as to its end portions when the loose sleeve sets back on discharge and to be sheared as to its intermediortion when the forwardly projecting mem r makes impact with an object and moves the striker member on to the detonator as set forth.

' 14. In a r'ojectile thecombination of a casing contamin an explosive charge, a dety onator for this c arge carried in the casing, a sleeve fixed to one end of the casing so as to project forwardly therefrom, a striker member mounted in the fixed sleeve lso that it can slide therein toward the detonator, a member which' projects forwardly beyond the end of the xed sleeve and is adapted 0n impact to actv on and impart sliding movement to the striker member, a plurality 0f locking members carried loosely in radial passages `formed through thev fixed sleeve each ocking member being of such shape and dimensions that while the outer end of' the radial passage in which it lies is closed the locldng member will project within the sleeve and engage the striker member, a loose sleeve mounted on the fixed sleeve so that it can slide rearwardly thereon by reason of its inertia when the projectile is discharged this loose sleeve when-in its initial position serving to close the outer ends of the radial passages in the fixed sleeve and maintain the locking members in engagerent with the striker member, a shear-y lng wire which passes through the fixed sleeve and the striker member, and means for preventing such rearward movement V of the loose sleeve as will release the locking members until the projectile is discharged as set forth.

15. In a projectile the combination of a i casing containing' an explosive charge, a detonator for this charge carried 1n the casing, a sleeve fixed to one end of the casing so as to project forwardly therefrom, a striker member mounted in the fixed sleeve so that it can slide therein toward the detonato'r', a member which projects forwardly beyond the end' of the fixed sleeve and is j adapted' on impact to act on and impart sliding movement to the striker member, a

`plurality of .locking members carried loosely sleeve and maintain the locking members in engagement with the striker member, and a wire passing through the loose sleeve through the fixed sleeve and through the striker member and adapted to be sheared l as to its end portions when the loose sleeve sets back on discharge and to be sheared as to its intermediate portion when the forwardly projecting member makes impact with anl object and'moves the striker member on to the detonator as set forth. f Y 16. In a projectile the combination of a casing containing an explosive charge, a detonator for this charge carried inthe casing, a sleeve 'fixed to one endy of the casing so as to project forwardly therefrom, a striker member mounted in the fixed sleeve so that it can slide therein toward the detonator, a., member which rojects forwardly beyond the end ,of the xed sleeve and` is adapted on impact'to act on and impart sliding movement to the striker member, a lurality of balls constituting locking mem ris car' ried arately and loosely'in radial paus-V sages ormed through the fixed sleeve the l diameter of each ball exceedingthe thick# will project wlithin the sleeve and engage .ness ofthe wall of the fixed' sleeve so that while the outer end' of the radial passage in which it lies is closed a vportion of the ball the striker member, a loose sleeve mounted on the fixed sleeve so that it can slide rearwardly thereon byreason of its inertia when the projectile is discharged this loose sleeve when in its .initial position serving to close the outer ends of the radial passages in the u lfixed sleeve and maintain the balls in en?.

gagement with the striker member, means by which the loose sleeve is prevented from setting forward again after discharge of the projectile, a shearing wire which Ipasses through the fixed sleeve and the striker member, and means for preventing such rearward movement. of the loose sleeve as will release the locking members until the projectile is discharged as. set'forth. 17. AIn a projectile the combination ofa casing containing an explosivecha'rge, a detonator constituted b a blank small-arm cartridge carried in t e Ycasing with the cap end of the cartridge directed forwardlyand 'the opposite end Aadjacent to the' e` losive ma-imparten .wly in radial- *.p

l the fixed sleeve the diameter 'of each ball ex'- P ceeding the thickness ofthe wall of the ''xed jects -forwardly beyond the-end ofthe members e carried separately an "sleeve: so that while'the. outeltend 'of the radial pin which it -lies is closed a4 portion of the proect within the sleeve and engage' the st :50 -loose sleeve mounted er member, a n the fixed sleeve so thatitfean slide rearwardly thereon by rea'- .j of its inertia when the-projectile 1s.v dis'- .char -sapositlon to close the outer ends -of- -maintain t this .loo .sleeve when 4in its .initial the radial inthe fixed sleeve and vhass'et back' andfuncovered. the ends of the radial. passages and. releasedv the balls the end ofthe' sleevewill e and-.beheld by the conical p ortionof t 'e-ixed sleeve, and

n 'a'wlre passing 7 .through the fixed vsleeve and throu h the :striker member and adapted-'to bes eared as to its end portions when the loose sleeve.

*constitutin locln'ng 'me rately and oosely in radial assages formed closed a portion o es formed through 'back t slve; will en conical portion o in engagementwith the', Striker memberbutjwhemthe. loose sleevev throu'gh' the loose sleeve on discharge .and to be sheared as I to its intermediate portion when the-'for- `wardly projecting member makes impact with an object and moves the striker member on to the detonator as set forth. 7o

Q 18.' In ai projectile the combination-:of a f casing containing an explosive charge, a det, onator constituted b a blank small-arm cartridg'ecarried int e casin with the cap end Aof the cartridge directed orwardly and the opposite end adjacent to the ex losive charge, asleeve lixed to one end oft e cas'- ing so as to project: forwardly therefrom the exterior of this sleeve-being formed cylindrical as to itsforward portlon but provided with a conical portion at its rear end,

a striker member lmounted inthe fixed sleeve'- so thatitcan slide therein towardthe cap` of the cartridge the striker member having an annular groove formed therein, a member formed integral with the striker member which projects forwardly beyond the end of'.

the -fixed sleeve so that on impactthe striker' member will -be4 caused to move toward the cap of the cartridge, a-

lurality of balls carried sepathrough the fixed sleeve t ev diameter of each ball exceeding the thickness of the wall l of the xedsleeve so that while the louter end of the radial fpassage inA which lit'lies is ed en the fixed sleeve so 4thatit-can slide rearwardly thereon by reason of its .inertia the bau'win Preiser-wia., a in the sleeve and engage the annular. groeven.

inthe strikermember, a loose-.sleeve mount-.-

when the projectile is dischar ed.. this loose sleeve when in its initial positionl serving to close the'outer ends of the radial passagesin" the fixed sleeve and maintain-the balls m en gagement lwith the groove inthe striker and be held by` the;

assing through the vloosetoits end portions-when the loose sleeve `sets .back on discharge and to be'sheared as te its '.iinterm'ediate portion .when 'thesforwardlyff member `makes impact with an.

object an movesrthelstriker member .onto la.;

project the detonator as set forth.

.member but when the loose sleevehas set andA uncovered. thel ends; o f lthe radial' a l and releasedfthe `balls-"the end'of 11o `tie iixed`sleev'e, anda sleeve;- the fixedsleeve and through-'the' striker member 'and adapted'to be sheared as 19. In a' projectil the" combination of a casing containing an explosive charge, a detonator. constituted bv a blank small'- arm i. .cartridge carried in the casin with theca end of thecartridge directed orwardl .an

the opposite end `adjacent to the ex o'sive charge, a sleeve fixed to 011e end of t e ca'sing so as to. 'project forwardly -therefrom the exterior of this sleeve being formed cylin-l dric'a'l as to its forward portion-but pro-I a striker member mounted in the fixed sleeve to that it can slide therein toward the cap of the cartridge, a member which projects forwardly beyond the 'end of the fixed sleeve and is adapted-on impact to act on and impart sliding movement to the striker. member, a plurality of balls constituting locking members carried separately and loosel in radial passages formed through the xed sleeve the diameter of each ball exceeding the thickness of the Wall of the fixed sleeve so that While the outer end lof theradial passage in Which it lies is closed a portionpf the ball Will project within the sleeve and 4engage the striker member, a loose sleeve mounted' on thel fixed sleeve so that it can slide rearwardly thereon `by reason of its inertia when the projectile is discharged this loose sleeve when in its initial position serving to close the outer ends of the radial passages in the xedsleeve and maintain` the balls in engagement with the striker member but When'the loose sleevehas set back and uncovered the ends of the radial passages yand released the balls the end of the sleeve through the loose sleeve through the fixed f Sleeve and through the striker member and adapted to be sheared as to its end ortions when the yloose sleeve sets back on ydischarge and to be sheared as .to its intermediate portion when the forwardly projecting member makes impact with an object and moves the striker member on to the de'tonator, and a cylindrical casing surrounding the loose sleeve and inclosing it and the fixed sleeve, this casing bein fixed in relation to the fixed sleeve an having a Withdrawable safety pin passed through it and through the movable and fixed parts within it as set forth.

In testimony' whereof I have signed my name to this' specification inthe presence of i ,two subscribing Witnesses. JAMES BROOKS Witnesses: HARVEY J. BAvERsTocK, CHARLES PACK.

cLsE. 

